Metro’s woes don’t merit tax increase

To the editor:

FROM R-J READERS

August 4, 2013 - 10:10 pm

To the editor:

In light of all the controversy surrounding the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (Department of Justice investigation, Use of Force Board resignations, assistant sheriff’s resignation, lack of accountability or transparency, lack of trust and leadership, and low morale within Metro) now is not the time to pass tax increases and give more money to Sheriff Doug Gillespie. There is a lack of confidence in and much uncertainty about the department.

The Clark County Board of Commissioners is holding a public hearing at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday to consider raising the sales tax in Clark County to fund Metro. As a resident in District G, I strongly urge Commissioner Mary Beth Scow to oppose this tax increase. This is our police department and it’s in trouble. It belongs to the taxpayers. It’s time to take a stand and take back our police department, and the first step is to stop funding the current madness.

The bucks stop here. Before more money is approved, our brave, decent officers deserve better leadership, and so do the citizens of Clark County. Think of Tuesday’s meeting as a tough-love intervention to help our police department get back on track and truly become a partner with the community. All of our safety depends on it.

GINA GREISEN

LAS VEGAS

Flood of water vendors

To the editor:

Water vendors on Las Vegas Boulevard pedestrian bridge walkways are going from bad to worse. Where I used to encounter one or two on the walkway from New York-New York to Excalibur, I now see three to five daily. They circumvent the current restrictions by asking for donations, achieving greater profits. Correct me if I’m wrong, but to receive donations, aren’t they required to have the name of the organization and their tax identification number? I believe they also need a permit, per Nevada Revised Statutes.

These vendors don’t have a health card and are pre-opening bottles for people, which leaves you to wonder if the bottles were previously used and refilled. One vendor has a cooler large enough for an adult to climb into, and the cooler is replenished with water and ice throughout the day. All the vendors say that Las Vegas Metro police and code enforcement officers haven’t bothered them since they started soliciting donations.

BRENDT MANNING

LAS VEGAS

Falling on deaf ears

To the editor:

I read with interest David Adams’ letter in Wednesday’s Review-Journal (“When will we get train to Yerington?”). I too emailed Sen. Harry Reid with a suggestion for high-speed rail between Las Vegas and Carson City. I also received no response. This suggestion would make more sense than Victorville, Calif. Our elected officials could use the high-speed rail traveling between Southern Nevada and Carson City. That would surely save the taxpayers money with travel expenses.

I also received no response from Sen. Reid’s office to advocate for me with the Veterans Affairs department regarding Agent Orange benefits for my deceased husband. I also didn’t receive a response from Sen. Reid’s office regarding disparaging remarks one of his employees from the Las Vegas office made to me regarding immigration. I’m still waiting for an apology.

My personal experience with Sen. Reid isn’t favorable at all. It seems the senator concentrates on projects that benefit his re-election or his family. His constituents come in dead last. The senator’s employees have the same poor attitude he has when it comes to Nevadans. How does this guy keep getting re-elected? I fervently hope this is his last term. It will surely benefit all Nevadans when Harry Reid is out of office.

MARLENE DROZD

LAS VEGAS

Nuclear waste

To the editor:

Regarding Thursday’s story on Yucca Mountain (“$5.6 billion deal for Nevada?”), it was reported the federal government would pay the state to find long-term storage for high-level nuclear waste. I’ll accept the waste here in Nevada, not for $5.6 billion, but just pay my power bill from now on.

If the waste can generate power, then give us some benefit from it. All I want is my power bill paid as long as I reside in Nevada, so that I can live out my days in a home with the thermostat set at 60 in the summer and 85 in the winter. And I won’t have to worry about NV Energy raising rates every other week.